Indicator or display apparatus.



y PATENTED JULY 2, 190'?. E. A. ALLEN. INDICATOR 0R DISPLAY APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY3 .1905.

SSHEETS-SHEET I PATBNTED JULY 2, 1907. E. A. ALLEN. INDICATOR OR DISPLAY APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULYS. 1905.

3 SHBETS-SHEET 2,

PAT'LNTLD JULY 2, 1907.

L. A. ALLEN.

INDICATOR OR DISPLAY-APPARATS. APPLICATION HLEDJULYS, 1905.

INDICATR OR DISPLAY APE-A RAT'US.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2, 1907,

Application tiled July 3, 1905. Serial No. 268.065.

To all who-m. 'it 'may coin-cm.:

Be it known that l, lowiN A. ALLEN, a citizen ol the Uniti-d Sintes', und a resident oi Galesburg, county of. Kinox, and #State oi illinois, have invented certair' new und usciul improvexnents in an indicator o1' Display Apparatus, of which the following is declared to be a full, clear, and enact description. I

The invention relates to indicator or Adisplay-apparatus and in particular t'o such apparatus having a long ribbon or tape having Iri'atter ln/arlied or printed' thereon, und the invention suelas to provide simple and effective means by which the ribbon or tape may he shifted in different positions'to display or expose the matter printed on the ribbon.

The invention is particularly applicable and is especially designed to be employed as an indicator for -s'treet or railroad cars and the indicator ribbon will bear j the names of the streets or stations passed by. the car.

The invention consists in the features el construction, combinations and erlangt-:ments of parts hereinafter set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 4 Figure `1 is a sectional view of the end of a car with lny improved indicator applied thereto. Fig. 2 is an end view of the apparatus showing the operating is` a cross section through the apparatus. l Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section, certain parts being broken away. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the circuits andapparatus for automatically arresting the movement of the indicator ribbon. AThe apparatuspreferably' includes an inclosingbox` like Casiirgvl which may 'be constructed. of wood or light 'sheet metal, and is provided at its iront with' a glazed opening 2 through` which the streets, stations, or other matter upon the indicator ribbon are displayed.

. l The indicator ribbon or tape 3 is arranged within the box or casing and its ends are detachably connected to bobbins or winding rolls 4 mounted respectively in the upper and lower portions of the 'boli or casing 1. The bobbins or Winding rolls '4 are revolublyi mounted and the uppermost roll is preferably arranged to be removed from' the casing in ordcr'that the indicator tape or ribbonnlayhe removed. .For this purpose the the side of the' box. s ition by a spring 7 and .screw 8. By releasing the stud 5 at one end/of the roll (see Fig. 4) is journaled in a block 6 mounted to slide in the cut-away portion at Block 6 is yielding-ly held -in poscrew and removing the top of -thebox, the slide block VGinny be removed and the uppermost Winding roll or hobbin can be removed. Preferably, a pai-r ofdriving rolls 9 and l0 are associated with eafch of the winding rolls or bobbins 4. These pairs of drive rolls engage the ibbon or tape on opposite sides of the opening 2 int e box or casing 1, and these rollsalso serve to guide theribbon or tap' into 'a'position closelyadjacent the 'opening 2 relation therewith.

l oi the gears 11 and 14 to drive the fore,

The drive or guide rolls Quand 10 are journaled in the sides oi tho casing and a'rc prcierably covered with .rubber or other suitable yieldingr uniterial, so that they will maintain a iirin grip upon the tape. The outer 'ends of the shafts 9 upon which the drive rolls 9 are mounted, extend through one side oi the box or casingvv and are provid-ed with gears 11. hy which rnotion is positivelyl imparted to the drive roll 9 ot each pair, the roll 10 oi each pair being driven by friction.'

Stub shafts 12 are jgnirnalefl. in the end of the box or casing and the inner ends of these stub shafts are carried in bracket. 13 (see Fig. 4), 'lhc projecting ends oi the stub shaib on the outer side of the box are provided with gears 14, and inside the box. or casing the stub shafts are provided with friction drive wheels 15' which engage corresponding friction wheels 1G fixed to the ends of the Winding rolls or bobbins 4.

The main drive lshaft 17 is journaled at one end inthe side oi the box and carries a master gear 1.8 which is ariranged in the plane of the gears 11 and 14., .an arn'i 19 swiveled on the shaft 17, carries an idler or coupling gear 20 whiehis always held in mesh with the master gear 18, and which may be shifted to engage either pair tape or ribbon in op posite directions. The ann 19 extends-on both sides of the drive shaft 17 and carries on its-end opposite the gear 20, a weight 21 which serves to eounterbalance the lgear 20. The drive shaft 17 may be driven from anysuitalle source of power and when rotated inthe direetion of arrow shown in Fig. 1, will carry the idle or coupling gear 2O into engagement with the gears 11 and 14 with the upper portion of thecasing so that the drive rolls'9 and 10 will be positively driven to move the tape or ribbon upwardly Ypast the opening 2. Atnthe same time the winding roll or bobbin 4 at the upper end of the case will be driven through the gear 14 and friction gears 1,5 and 16 to take up the ribbon' or tape as it leaves the drive rolls 9 and 10. The speed at which the drive rolls 9 and 10 will move the ribbon will depend of course,

l upon the speed of the drive shaft 17, 'but the speed with which* the tape or ribbon is wound upon the bobbin 4 wuldordinarily, if positively driven-vary in accord ance with the size of the roll of tape on the bobbin, but these rolls are driven through the friction gears 15 and 16, which are so held by the spring 7 that they will slip to compensate for this difference in operation. The' winding rolls will therefore' not tend to pull the tape or ribbon from the grip of the drive rolls 9 and 10, but will merely serve to take up the slack as it les ves. the drive rolls. i

When the drive shaft 17 is'reversed, the arm 19 and idler or connecting gear 20 will be automatically shifted out ofY engagement with the upper set of gears 1l and 14' inte engagement with the lower setas indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. By this peculiar arrangement there the power-to. drive the ribbon' may beaoplied to upper portion of one end of o. car 22 and the drive shaft the movement thereof should be controlled' by the movement o the car so that the distance through which 4 the ribbon moves is proportionate lto the travel of the the drive shot'tV While the rolls :it the opposite end are fri-e to permit thc ribbon or tope to be unrollvd therebon nt proper tension.

of the different streets or stations which ore pssed on' the trip can be noted uporl the blank topo in tho imdb either und thereof for shifting it in opposite directions pos-t the opening 2 ond the coupling device will be auf" tornoticolly shifted from the drive and winding rollsat calor at theproprir places. Anrildieetor or. display one end ofthe ribbon tothe drive and winding rolls at v ribbon oil tope for regular use con then he prepared the other ond by the reversal of the drive shsft 17. from this blank, wbich'tivlin placed in the indicating In Fig. .l tho indicator box is shown arranged in`theapparatus will automatihaily announce the stations or streets as desired.4 Il to? any transmit; lscconies. nece ssry to adjust the tape-dr ribbon, this may he effected by shifting the connecting gear 20 to its inoperntive,

l? is positively geared to the axle 23 of the corso that 'its spoed will be' proportional to the speedo 'the eansnl the distance through which the ribbon is moved by the drive rolls t) and 1t) will be directly proportional to the distance to which the cor moves. f

Any suitable loz'm of gearing may be employedV betvveen the car axle `23.0.nd the drive shaft 17. In the form shown, :t sprocket Wheel 24 is mounted n the car axle and is connected to a. companion sprocket Wheel on a cross shaft 2o' Vhy a chin 27. A gear 28 on the cross' shalt :2d engitgos o. worm wheel 29 on a shaft' 30 which extends longitudinally beneath the car, An upright counter-shaft 31 is geared at its lower end to the shaft: 30 by the beveled gears 32and at its upper end to the shntt; 17 by the beveled gears 33. In a similar manner shaft, 30 may he wronged to drive another indicating device at the opposite und of the car. By the arrange ment'dcseribed, it will be seen that' the drive rolls 9 and l() will be positively driven to move the indicator or display ribbon et s speed proportional to the spoed und. distnnce through which the csr moves while the winding rolls Ll.- will be operated td take up the slack. M ore-4 over, fbe'direction of movement, of the ribbon will he automatically reversed when the direction of the travel of thel cari's reversed at the end of its route and at the same time the coupling device will he shifted automat- Means are preferably ribbon or tape from being detached from either of the rollers or bobbins. For this purpose, a. pair of Contact strips 36 and 37 tn'e associated with each of the Wind` other In` Fig. 8 the contacts 36 und 37 at the npper end of the box are shown 21s having been brought the upper winding roll or bobbin. These contacts nre mounted upon,lnit :irc insulated from suitable supports 38, as indicated lnud :1re :irmugod to control the circuit through o solenoid 39 whivh is carried. upon n brochet 40 nt the side of the b'ox.

which carries the coupling gear 2t). circuit through the solenoid is open and in no way inten cres with the shift-of the coupling gear.' However, if `the ribbon or tope accumulates upon oneof the winding rods 2 to sn extent sntlicicnt lo ining either pair of contacts 36 and Il? into engagement, n. circuit; is closed (see Fig; through one of the conductors 4o to the pair of contiicts 36, 37, which have been shfteldinto engagement from xt-hence by the conductouS,jl and '43 to the solenoid 39 ind by conductor 49 bnclc to battery. The core il the direction in which the ear is moving. ous that other means may be employed for operating tho indicating mechanism. It is only. essential that the coupling gear 20 in its idle, central position, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. .f

While the present impmved indicator is especially npplicuble'ior announcing or indicating the streets or stations on crs, advertisements or announcements of can'. It should be noted that the fend rolls 9 sind 10 which are positively driven` insure that the movement displayed 'in a. show window or elsewhere.

which may slip or yield as is necessary, servo merely 'to wind up the'slnck of the ribbon. To further insure tbe :leenmrte [ccd of the ribbon the iced rolls 9 und l0 :is stated. nrc covered with rubber or other friction ma.- tvriul, and the rolls l() nre yield ingl y held by springs 34 nud may be adjusted by screws 34 (sec Fig. 4) to tightly grip the tone or ribbon. v

l'lurng` opcnttion, the drive rolls and associated Winding,r roll :it 'one end of the ribbon nrc in gcurwith appended claims.

Hoving described rny invention, what I claim :is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isn* .L tu nn indicator or display apparatus, the combination trom, and s-reinrdmlonly by tlnI friction ot' the differ ont ports to on vx tout sutlicicnt. to knop the tape or rih- In preparing the indicator for use, ttbhtu'k ribbon orl tnpcmay be inserted in thel indient ing apparatus und o regular trip thon molde with thel dir so that the names ttons. gcnm v ...von on sold shaft, su urn; spinner! to swing treely ''nn anni stinrr, 'un

central position and then turning either` oil-the sets ola provided for prevv'entinig,y the.

5) from batteryPltbrongh conductor 45- any kind can be. placed uponthe tope or ribbon and r into Contact by the accumulation oi the ribbon upon i no y The core :tl oi the solenoid is connected by a rod 42 and o link 43 with the arm l5) ('h'dinorily the ses' vrolls, friction gearing for driving,Il said Windingr l` i idleil gear carried by said arm and meshing. with said masA ter gear and a counter weight for balancing said arm and idler gear, said counter-baIanred arm and gear beim,r automatically shifted from one to the othei of said roll gears by the reversal of said drive shaft, substantially as described. l

3. In an indicator or display apparatus, the combination with an inclosin'g casing having a' display opening,r of a ribbon in said casing, a drive roll and a separate winding roll associated with each end of said ribbon, the driving;r and winding rolls being arranged on opposite sides of said display'opening to shift the ribbon in opposite directions past the same, a drive shaft. and a couplingIr menus automatically shifted by the reversal of said shal't to connect the same to the driving roll and to the Winding roll at one end of the ribbon and to disconnect the shaft from the driving roll and winding roll at the'other end of the ribbon, substantially as described.

4'. In an indicator or display apparatus, the combination with an *inc-losing casing having a display opening, oli a ribbon in said casing, two pairs of drive rolls on opposite sides oi? the displayiopening engaging the ribbon to shift the same in opposite directions past said opening, winding r'olls associated with cach end ot the ribbon, an operating gear ior each pair of drive rolls, an operating gear .for each winding' roll, a common drive shaft, a master gear on said shaft, a swinging arm on said shaft and an idler or connecting -gear on said arm meshing constantly with said master gear and arranged, when shifted. to engage the winding and drive roll gears at either end of the ribbon, substantially as described.

i'. In au indicator or display apparatus, the combination- Wiih an inciosing easing having a display opening, of a ribbon in said casing, tivo pairs of drive rolls on opposite sides of ihe display opening engaging,r the ribbon to shii't the same in opposite directions past smid opening, winding rolls associated with each'end of the ribbon, an operatingl :rear for each pair of drive rolls,` an operating,r gear for each vvindinrr roll, a common drive shaft, a master gear on said shaft, a swingingr arm on said shaft and an idler or connecting gear on said arm meshing constantly with said master gear and arranged, when shifted, to engagev the .vindim;r and .drive roll gearsat either end ot the ribbon, said idler gear being automatically shifted from one to the other set of gears by the'reversal of said drive shaft'. substantially as described.

f. In an indicator or display apparatus, the combination with an inclosinr,r casina, havingr a display opening, of a ribbon in said casina, two pairs of drive rolls on opposite sides of the display opening;Ir engaging: the ribbon to shift the same in opposite directions past said opening, windingl 'rolls associated with each 'end of the ribbon, an operating gear for each pair of drive rolls, an operating gear For each winding roll, a common drive shaft, a master gear on said shaft, a swinging arm on said shaft and an idler or con` neciing gear ou said arm meshing constantly wirh said mastery gear and arranged, when shifted, to eue-agir the winding and drive roll `:tears at either end ot ibo ribbon, said arm anrl. idler gear heini,r counter-balaured ind mounted to swing freely on said drive shaft and automatically shifter] from one to the other set 0l? gears by the reversal of said drive shaft', substantially as des ibcd.

7. 'lhe combination with a display ribbon, oi two pairs of driving rolls engaging said ribbon. a winding roll for tht` ends of the ribbon associated with each pair of dri'v'e rolls, a common drive shaft and coupling means shii'table lo ronnect Said drive shaft to the driving rolls and to the i'ric4 tion gearing of the Winding roll at on end of said ribbon and to disconnect liliaiddrive shaft from the driving rollsv and friction gearing; at the other end ol' the ribbon, substantially as described.

S. The combination with a display ribbon, oi' two pairs of driving rolls engaging said ribbon. a 4Winding' roll for the ends oi.' the ribbon associated with each pair of drive rolls, friction gearing for driving said winding rolls, a drive shaft and means arranged to beautomatically shifted by the reversal oi said drive shaft for coupling the ,same to the drive rolls and the friction gearing for the lwinding\ roll at either end of said ribbon.

9. The combination with a display ribbon, oi two pairs oi driving rolls engaging said ribbon, a winding roll [or the ends of the ribbon associated with each pair ol drive rolls, friction gearing for drivin;r said winding rolls, a drive sliai't, a master gen1-'on said driveshait. :l swinging arm hung; on .said shaft and a connecting or idler geaiwon said arm for connecting said master gear to the drive roll and the friction gearingor the winding; roll at either end of the ribbon. v y

1U. The combination wiih a dispiay ribbon, of separate drive rolls for said ribbon, reversible operatingmechanism for actuating one or the other of said rolls and means tow erned by the accumulation of the ribbon on either of said rolls for shiftingr the reversible operatingT mechanism to ini.perative position and for holding, the saine in such posi tion out ol' enc-agement with either of said drive rolls.

`I. .lhe combination with a display ribbou,.ot' separate dine rolls for said ribbon, a drive shaft, reversible-coupling mechanism for connecting said shaft to either of said rolls ,and automatically actuated by the reversal of said shaft, means for holding said'coupling device in inoperai'ive position out ot' engagement with either of said rolls and devices for controlling said means actuated by the -accuinnlation oi'.' the ribbon on either of said rolls, Substan` tially as described.

12. The combination with a display ribbon, oi" rolls Whercon the ribbon is wound, a drive shaft, a shiftable coupling device for connecting said shaft to either of said rolls and means governed by the accumulation of the ribhon on said rolls for shifting said coupling device to a centrai, inoperative position.

17%. The combination with a display ribbon, of rolls whereon the ribbon is Wound, a drive shaft, a shift-able coupling,r device for connecting said shaft to either of said rolls, a solenoid for holding said coupling device in central, inoperative position, and contacts associated with each of said winding rolls for controlling the circuit of said s0- lenoid. y

14. In an indicator or display apparatus, the combination with an inclosing,r casing having' a display opening therein, of a display ribbon in said casing, drive rolls in said casing on opposite sides of said ldisplay opening or shitting said ribbon in opposite directions past said opening, a common drive shaft for said rolls and a counter` balanced coupling member pirated to swing; freely on said shalt and automatically shilted by the reversal thereof, lo ronncrt aad-disconnect said 'shaft with the rolls on opposite sides of said display opening', substantially -as desi, ibed4 f '15. The combination with a display ribbon, of driving and Winding,r rolls associated with each end ol said ribbon` n common drive shaft and couplingl means for positively connecting;r said shalt To the drive roll at either end oi the ribbon and for connecting the associated winding.: roll to said shaft through the medium oi. friction gearing, said coupling; means being; automatically sh rrd by thc reversal of said drive shaft io alternately connect and disconnect {lm rlriving and Winding.; roll.l ar. opposite ends o the ribi bon with said shaft, substantially :is describedY lli, 'lhe combination with a display ribbon, ot" driving and winding' rolls associated with each end'of said ribbon, n roinlnon drive sh and couplinl,r means for positively rfonnortim.;- said shalt 'o the drive roll at either end ol.'- the ribbon and for connecting the associaled winding roll to said shaft through the medium of friction gearing, said couplingl means being swivcleil on said shaft and counterbalanced and automatically shit ed by the reversal thereof for alternately connectinglhe same to lthe driving and winding rolls at either end of said ribbon, substantially as described. 4

17. The combination with adisplay ribbon, oi.' a'drive roll and alrictional drive Windingr roll associated with 0pposi ends of said ribbon for shifting the same ln opposite dir ns, a common drive lshaft and coupling means automatically shifted by the reversal of movement of said drive shaft foijconnecilug the same with the drive roll and frictioilally driven Winding roll at either end oi the ribbon, substantially as described.

18.y In ation or street indicators. for cars, the combination with a car of a display or indicator ribbon, of a drive i the driving: und wming wils ni: either mimof tim ribimu,Y

im: mvnns im' said winding rfalls driven by smid reverixihiiz gom-lng, snimizmiiinlly im (inscribed.

2n. In station nr sil-@ei indicators for curs, the ccaiuhizml thm .with the wir uxlu ami the indicator ur display ribbon, Z0

ui. sum1-nte drive .wils engaging iaaiiiribbon tu shift the" :mmv in ogpusiii: diriaciiims, reversible gearing pmsiiaivcly connecting either ai' @uid drive ruim-With 'time cm uxiejui'i umn-airing the sume ai; n speed propnrtiu'nute to that ot the um', winding rolls aasociai'eii with opposite ends nf Suid ribi mi bun und friction` gears for operating suini Winding miie. driven bygid `riversii iegearing, aubatnntiuily as described. L

mDWiN ALLEN. 

